Category: God

Posted in Family, God, love, patient, quote, sufficient

Are We So Different?

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

Thanksgiving weekend brought together family and friends enjoying traditions and non-traditions.  A sweet 16 birthday party for my oldest granddaughter, as well as birthday celebrations for my 25-year old son and husband filled the rest of the 4-day weekend.  Family bloodlines run long of sufficient women, and the strong men who walk with us.  The differences whether male or female are in political views, religious beliefs, culinary preferences and restrictions, career choices, hobbies, aspirations, the boots we wear, and list goes on.  The pendulum of diversity swings very high at times even among spouses.

How does God encourage us to live? “Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” ~ Ephesians 4:2.   “I found out everybody’s different–the same kind of different as me. We’re all just regular folks walkin down the road God done set in front of us,” ~ author of Same Kind of Different As Me, Denver Moore tells us.  The same kind of different brings us to the same road, same pair of shoes, same need for love.  Love is the glue that binds us together, and it is the need we each have that makes us each the same.  So love folks. Love unceasingly!

 

Posted in envy, faith, Family, God, jealousy, life, light, live, love, peace, scripture, secure, thankful, write

Be The Light

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

“There are two ways of spreading the light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it,” author Edith Wharton is quoted. Edith began to write poems, short stories, and novels as a child in the latter 1800’s. Her first published novel would not be until she reached age 40, as it was not acceptable for a societal woman to be active in writing during this era. Edith’s life reflected her love for humanity during the first World War, brave efforts made for her French friends.  Days and years, maybe a dimly lit wick, but she persevered in those humane and writing works.  Edith Wharton’s influence is seen in literature and the arts today, and she has been gone from earth since 1937.

“He will not break a broken branch or put out a little fire. He will be faithful to make everything fair,” the Bible verse encourages us in Isaiah 42:3.  In today’s world when life seems totally unfair, there is this promise from the Old Testament. Do not put out your own light by living like life is unfair, slanted, short-changed.  Stop the envious comparisons to your family member, curtail the jealous plans to out beautify or own more than the Jones, and live your life at peace with yourself , neighbor, and God.  Be secure in God. Be thankful. “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine …”  Be that candle, and reflect God’s love for you as a mirror to the community you have been placed in.

candlelight

Posted in battle, Blog, cancer, daughter, day, Elisabeth, Emotional, Enemy, faith, Family, fear, fight, Financial, God, mother, Physical, prayer, Spiritual, thankful, victory, Warrior, write

Wonder Woman, A Village, And Miracles

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

 

A few months ago I began this blog dedicated to the warrior woman God has called each of us to be. This necessity to write about this topic came after my daughter, Elisabeth was diagnosed with two forms of breast cancer, stage 1.  Within each of us is a fighter, some more pronounced than others.  So I am not speaking of a roughneck girl looking for a fight.  (Though I believe either one of my daughters, daughters-in-law and their mothers could hold their own if confronted in a physical battle.)  With this blog I am speaking about the spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional fight we as woman encounter on a daily basis.  And for some that fight is minute by minute of every day.  My Elisabeth had such the fight the past 5 months.  She told her story on her social media page, not whining and complaining, but injecting faith and the power God gives to fight against fear and the Enemy.  The Enemy, cancer lost!  After 5 months of chemotherapy and a bi-lateral mastectomy Elisabeth received the pathology report announcing “CANCER-FREE!” The victory is hers!

In my eyes, and many others’ eyes, Elisabeth is Wonder Woman.  She endured chemo treatments every 3 weeks, the nausea and zapped energy level that followed for days.  Hair and breasts loss.  The mind and emotions battled the lies of the Enemy, refused defeat every step of the way.  It takes a village to raise a child.  And my daughter had a village praying for her, literally hundreds of family, friends, and church groups surrounded her with love and support, and beseeched Our God.  And the countless miracles that followed … her husband’s unwavering support … God’s grace extended from her employer, to work when able… strained relationships focused on one thing, Elisabeth’s healing rather than their differences … a clinic of dedicated medical staff … most expenses covered through the healthcare reform mandate … non-insurance covered special bandages left in the mail box during recovery … gift baskets delivered … and most of all the village’s thousands of prayers said on her behalf.

How thankful I am that my Elisabeth has been healed, and continues in the grace of God!  From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for loving my girl!  To God be the glory!

Posted in daughter, day, Elisabeth, Family, forgiveness, God, grace, house, mother, prayer, Rachel, strength, thankful, Warrior, Women in My Life

Sweep The Front Porch

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

 

I awoke this Saturday morn early like most days.  Weekday, weekend, it no matter.  I am an early bird. And you know the saying “the early bird gets the worm”, but I am sure worms are not on my menu.  But time with God is.  Yes, I can talk to God (and you can, too) at any time of day under any circumstances.  But there is something fresh about the dawn of a new day, quietness and stillness in the house and just outside the house on my front porch.  I sit on the porch bench watching the day wake up around me.  I am surrounded by shade trees, pots of perennials, the tweeting birds, and garden art.  The breeze subtly chills my skin, and rustles the green canopy of leaves.  Forgiveness I ask for my shortcomings, and His Grace accepted.  Petitions are expressed, asking God for complete healing for my daughters, Elisabeth and Rachel as well as my aging mother.  Strength for this woman warrior and my day.  With a thankful heart …

 

Onward to begin the Saturday chores … I sweep the front porch of the twigs, mulch, dog hairs, and dirt blown in with the summer winds.  It is an attempt to keep my home tidy.  I want to feel welcomed when I come home.  Rather be greeted by the warm cinnamon front door, than dirt and grime.  I am sure the rest of the family and our guests do as well.  Is that not what praying to God is about?  Sweeping the wrong motives, ill words, and bad attitudes away while being received in His warm embrace.  An Open Door.  So happy I chose a comforting color for the front door.  Cinnamon.  Warm.   This morn it invites me into the house to prepare a pancake breakfast and finish those other Saturday chores, and pray all the while.

Posted in day, depression, God, grace, jealousy, life, love, mind, peace, prayer, resources, strength

At The End Of The Day

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

Life is too short to sit idle, hate others, be jealous or depressed, and play mind games.  With God’s grace, sincerity and a pure heart is what I desire to become.  “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  Psalms 51:10.  Pure and as sweet as honey.  White as snow.  No bargains made or motives conjured up.  Just live for my Creator.  I answer to my God at the end of the day, every day.  And every day is a gift.  At the end of the day, I take in account how I spent those precious minutes, my God-given talents, supply of resources and energy?  Is my time consumed in front of a screen, iphone-size or mega flat screen TV-size?  Size of the electronic does not matter, just how did I personally connect to those around today?  Did I pick-up my neighbor’s storm-tossed trash scattered across his yard, encourage my co-worker on her new project, smile at that smelly stranger on the street bench, or pick-up the phone to talk to my kin living a few hundred or 2 miles away?  Everyone has something they are good at.  My energy levels may be up or plummeted down or be sporadic.   Did I use whatever today’s strength is to extend God’s love and grace?   Did I pray and be a vessel for peace or healing?  At the end of the day …

Posted in children, Elisabeth, God, happy, Mary, mother, prayer

I Heard My Name

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

At 3:30am I awoke from a deep sleep to a young woman’s whispered words, “Mom… Mom”.  I thought for sure my Elisabeth was calling me from the other side of my bedroom door or window.  I answered, but no one answered back.  Silence.  Was I dreaming?  I got up to double check the windows and doors, no sign of anyone.  Once a mother, always a mother.  I hear “mom” called out at the grocery store or city park, and I turn my head like instinct to this name.  This awakening was different than that.  I returned to my bed, and prayed.  Was this one of my daughter’s need for prayer?  Our Mother Mary must hear her name called out unceasingly.  Be with all my children, my God who saves and protects.  “He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children.”  Psalm 113:9.

Posted in contagious, darkness, Emotional, faith, God, joy, light, love, scripture, Spiritual

In The Midst Of

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

Heavy dark clouds, drenching rains, lightning, and thunder dominated the weekend.  Floods for some.  But the light of day peeped out for a few minutes each day.  The songbirds sing for joy.  People come outside to pluck a weed or two in the flower bed, maybe to get a start on the many more that will appear with an eventual sunny afternoon.  Neighbors take their furry friends for an afternoon stroll.  The next impending rains quickly arrive before their return to shelter.  Nature’s shower refreshes the soul in the midst of chaos and darkness. “He will not break off a fractured reed, and the lamp that flickers He will not extinguish until He will bring the verdict of innocence” or another version of this scripture in the book of Isaiah repeated in the gospel of Matthew, “A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.”

I am reminded with this church hymn this Sunday morn …

Joyful, joyful
We adore Thee
God of glory
Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Hail Thee to the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light of day

~ Friedrich Schiller ~

Let your light shine.  Make joy in the midst of the dark clouds.  Make love besides.  Love wins every time.  It is contagious, and lights up this world!

 

 

Posted in faith, God, grace, love, prayer, scripture, Spiritual

Today Only

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

Sometimes it is difficult to focus on today only, this minute, this moment.  It is called being mindful, present moment.  For me it is prayer.  Some of us are planners, shakers and movers, and want the end result now.  But when I think of today only, I seek  the quiet moments, am still, empty myself of self, then I experience the presence of God.  No event to put on the calendar.  No problem to solve. No filling of my do-to list.  No seeking my next pleasure. And I do not have to suppose what someone will say and react to, or achieve earth-shattering participation levels for an employee wellness project. I just remain still before God alone, and open my heart to Him alone. “Be still and know that I am God.”

Take Lord receive all that is Yours my Lord,understanding my entire will, give me only Your love and Your grace, that’s enough for me, Your love and Your grace are enough for me. Stained Glass @ St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Posted in cancer, daughter, fall, God, Holy Spirit, love, Physical, prayer, Spiritual, strength

When I Fall Short

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

our-lady-of-the-rivers.jpgRacing along, this project done, another one or two started, excellent customer service given, that word of encouragement shared, another homemade dinner made with leftovers for the week, and then I stop short.  Sometimes fall short.  Sickness does that to me.  Not just my sickness, but the news that one of my children or another loved one is sick can put me at a complete halt, worry with frenzy or analyze the problem until I am exhausted. Neither accomplish what is desired, complete healing even from cancer. God is so gracious to me, to each of us.  His Word says, “for though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again” (Proverbs 24:16).

Prayer is where I go when I fall short.  “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).  Meditative prayers are said at church each day before noon Mass, like glorious chants reaching the heavens. My presence there uplifts me, I rise again from the pew ready to go about the rest of my day.  Unexplained utterances come from my lips at times, when English words cannot say what my heart feels.  And this too is promised in God’s Word. “For I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to withstand or reply to” (Luke 21:15) and “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). 

Does not matter where I am, at home, in church, at the office, or on a day outing. Just pray.  And I am diligently doing.  Please agree with me for complete healing of my daughter. “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them …” (Matthew 18: 18 – 20).